The latest version of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-Based Interceptor for homeland missile defense intercepted an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile in a test on Monday at Vandenberg Space Force, California. The GBI is part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system designed to defeat possible intercontinental ballistic missile attacks from North Korea and Iran. The GMD system is made up of GBIs, the majority of which are positioned in underground silos at Fort Greely, Alaska.
The test used an upgraded GBI with the Raytheon-designed Capability Enhanced-II Block 1 Exo-Atmospheric Kill Vehicle and marked the first time the MDA has tested a three-stage GBI operating in two-stage mode, which allows for faster engagement of threats. The test also integrated sensor data from the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance Model-2 Forward Based Mode and an upgraded Sea-Based X-Band radar.
The newly confirmed MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said, “This successful intercept utilizing the 2-/3-Stage selectable Ground Based Interceptor capability in 2-stage mode provides the Warfighter with increased battlespace that supports additional shot opportunities to negate an incoming threat missile.”
MDA is working to develop the Next-Generation Interceptor to replace the current GBIs, aiming to field the NGI by 2028. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are competing against Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne to build the new interceptors, with both teams expected to go through critical design review. The aim is to field the NGI by 2028.
